Grid-Forming Inverters: From Principles to Functionality Validation
The increasing adoption of inverter-based resources has spurred interest in Grid-Forming (GFM) inverters as a key technology to enhance grid stability, reliability, and resilience in low-inertia power systems. This presentation introduces the fundamental principles of grid-forming control, explains how GFM inverters establish and regulate system voltage and frequency, and highlights the key differences between GFM and conventional grid-following (GFL) technologies. The presentation also discusses practical approaches for validating GFM functionality through dynamic simulation studies and performance testing. Drawing from real-world project experience with grid-forming battery energy storage systems (BESS), it examines common model validation challenges, including controller tuning, verification of frequency and voltage response, fault ride-through performance, and compliance with evolving utility and reliability requirements. Attendees will gain insight into the progression from grid-forming concepts to functionality validation and understand the critical role of model quality in the successful integration of advanced inverter-based resources.
Parth Shah
Power System Consultant, Hitachi Energy on September 11, 2026 at 10:15 AM in EB2 1231
Join Zoom Webinar
Parth Shah is a power system consultant at Hitachi Energy, where he conducts transmission-level studies that help electric utilities, renewable developers and ISOs plan and operate safe, reliable power systems. He holds a Professional Engineer license in California. His technical portfolio spans transmission planning and operations, reliability and security assessments, regulatory compliance, power system restoration, energy storage integration, renewable generation interconnection, and model development and validation. He has led studies including subsynchronous control interaction, security-constrained dispatch, long-term transmission planning, contingency and transfer-limit analyses, optimal power flow, frequency scans, harmonic-filter design and transient-stability simulations. Earlier in his career, Shah worked at Siemens and served as a research assistant in the electrical engineering department at the University of Southern California. He has delivered introductory and advanced training courses to practicing power system engineers worldwide.
This lecture series features exciting and dynamic visiting and virtual speakers from across the range of ECE disciplines. Take some time every Friday morning to be inspired by these great scientists and engineers before heading into the weekend!